A peak body for justices of the peace in Victoria is calling for more volunteers after warning that the number of independent legal witnesses is falling and the service could become harder to access. The outlets report that many current volunteers are ageing, with concern that older participants are “dying off” faster than new recruits are coming through. As a result, the groups say people seeking independent witnesses for legal processes may increasingly struggle to find available justices of the peace.
The reports highlight the role of justices of the peace as volunteer participants in witnessing and verifying documents, typically acting as independent observers. They also point to the impact of dwindling volunteer numbers on service availability, particularly as demand continues.
All three sources emphasise the need for recruitment to maintain coverage and ensure that independent witnessing remains accessible to the public. The call focuses on attracting a new generation of volunteers to replace those leaving due to age and other factors.
